Scots rugby player: my faith first, sport second

A top Scottish rugby player who won’t play matches on a Sunday has said it’s always going to be a battle to be different.

“There is something far more important in life than the result of a game”

Listen to an interview with Euan Murray from 2008 (1 hr).

Euan Murray, who missed the opening Six Nations match against France last weekend because it was on a Sunday, said: “It’s a decision, a difficult decision I had to make. And I’m happy with my decision.”

In an interview with The Guardian last week he explained how difficult the Christian life can be, describing it as a “battle”.

He said: “You’re going against the tide. The crowd are going one way and you’re going another.

“It’s always going to be a battle to be different.”

Mr Murray explained that instead of playing in Sunday’s match against France he was going to spend the day relaxing and resting.

He said: “I won’t watch the game. It’s a day where I can enjoy the Lord.”

Mr Murray was taken to church as a boy but after a massive rugby injury in 2005 he turned to Christianity for himself.

He has played rugby on Sundays in the past. However, in December it was revealed he will no longer play on Sundays for his country or his club team, Northampton Saints.

The Scot, who plays at the tighthead prop position, explained that the “shiny bubbles” of professional sport once appealed to him, “but the minute you get them they burst and they’re empty”.

He described the “bubbles” as: “The attraction of all the glamour and glitz that society puts up on a pedestal and says is the be all and end all.”

He continued: “It’s not wrong to have money and to want to be the best player in the world, but if that is your idol then that is wrong.”

Mr Murray has been selected to play in the next Scotland match, against Wales, on Saturday.

Just this week another Christian sportsman hit the headlines.

American Football player Tim Tebow appeared in a pro-life advert during the Super Bowl.

Prominent Christian Tebow featured with his mother in an advert for Focus on the Family promoting the message “Celebrate Life, Celebrate Family”.

While pregnant with Tim, Pam Tebow was advised to have an abortion but she said no.

The subtle advert began with Mrs Tebow holding a baby photo of her son.

Speaking about the pregnancy she said: “He almost didn’t make it into this world”.

She added: “I can remember so many times when I almost lost him.”

The advert then took a more lighthearted turn as Mrs Tebow was tackled by her 22-year-old quarterback son.

Mr Tebow is an outspoken Christian who is well known for displaying Bible references on his face during games.

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